General Debate 20 June 2015

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nasska

There may yet be hope that sanity will prevail. Paula’s on the warpath.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/safety-rules-have-gone-loopy-says-minister-reduction-task-force-charges-6342364
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June 20, 2015 8:09am
Keeping Stock

It’s rather wet here this morning; three inches of rain in the last 24 hours.
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June 20, 2015 8:13am
Odakyu-sen

For complex, but repetitive and predictable operations, rules can really help.
But with unpredictable situations, it’s better to understand the underlying principles involved and make your own decisions based on common sense.

The trouble starts when people assume that more and more rules applied to fundamentally unpredictable situations will increase safety, but they can have the opposite effect by discouraging people from thinking.
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June 20, 2015 8:18am
Nukuleka

The Daily Mail reports that doctors in the Netherlands are now calling for children under the age of 12 to have the right to be euthanased, a move that would bring the country into line with their neighbour Belgium. The Netherlands in 2004 became the first country since Nazi Germany to legalise euthanasia. Children over 12 already have the right to euthanasia under current Netherland laws.

Euthanasia enthusiasts here in New Zealand claim that any euthanasia law passed here would be not necessarily reflect euthanasia laws passed in overseas countries but would be have careful safeguards and protections from abuse in some sort of unique ‘kiwi’ manner. This is, of course, nonsense. Once any euthanasia law is passed here there will be further calls, as is happening in overseas countries, to extend the grounds for euthanasia until we end up with exactly the same situation that Belgium currently has and which doctors in the Netherland are now calling for. Legislation permitting euthanasia would increase the vulnerability of the young, the ill, the poor and the handicapped.
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June 20, 2015 8:19am
Inandout

World Refugee Day today, and there are supposedly 50 million of them. How about the UN has a ‘stop feral governments day’, the ones that are continuously at war, and causing their citizens to flee? It is just so easy for some leaders to start wars, and because the UN does virtually nothing to punish them, the rest of the world gets flooded with boat people. In contrast, WW2 refugees often returned to their homeland after 1945, even though communist regimes had been installed in much of Europe.
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June 20, 2015 8:21am
Reid

Brilliant exposure of the appalling lies and deception behind the stenography journalism practiced by the corporate media.

http://russia-insider.com/en/media-criticism/we-just-publish-position-british-government-sunday-time-snowden/ri8145

How about the UN has a ‘stop feral governments day’, the ones that are continuously at war, and causing their citizens to flee?

What a brilliant idea inandout. Let’s see, the govts responsible for Libya which is driving a lot of the current EU boat people problem were… The govts responsible for Yemen are…. The govts responsible for Syria are… etc etc etc
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June 20, 2015 8:27am
Paulus

I see that Dalziel in Christchurch is on the warpath wanting Key to tell Brownless to authorise spend spend spend urgently, with more Billions of Taxpayers money on pet projects.

Dalziel and Christchurch City Council – when are you going to get real $46 Billion (that’s $46,000,000,000) has or is projected to be spent after the Earthquake. You cannot expect that the Taxpayer is happy for you to scream for more.

New Zealanders outside the Holy City are now getting fed up with more of our Taxes being shelled out on your political whims.

The fact that the Council really stuffed up its insurances leaving a huge taxpayer/ratepayer hole is not our concern. It is the Ratepayers of the City who are liable. Whilst they say they are negotiating with overseas insurers they are going to get nowhere so face up to it.
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June 20, 2015 8:38am
Inandout

Reid: Of course they all have one archilles heel, and that is the continuous supply of armaments and military parts to keep the war machine going. And if the world put as much pressure on the troublesome Middle East countries as they did on Apartheid South Africa, you may see some changes. No such luck there though, as the refugee problem is not as sexy as ‘racism’.
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June 20, 2015 8:44am
Viking2

More bullshit From Mobie and Work place and Safety Nazi’s.

Why the Nat’s. need to back pedal and change the Law.

PD worker, (not employed) gets killed.

If Mobie get away with this employers should all shut shop until the Law is changed from making them completely accountable everyone else and their own safety.
Meantime don’t voluntteer for anything either or you may face 5 years jail and $600k fine.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/69505459/corrections-charged-over-community-work-death
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June 20, 2015 8:46am
Inandout

Viking2: The next silly rule may apply to burglars, such as – ‘All burglars are advised this property has an unsafe deck; please walk carefully and watch for unstable boards. The owners apologise for any inconvenience caused’.
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June 20, 2015 8:53am
Paulus Gnome

Substitute New Zealand for Sweden and I defy you to spot the difference; I can tell you that it is longer than five minutes however can also tell you that once you start watching, you will go to the end. I believe that this is where we, as a nation, are headed.

https://twitter.com/ArgBlatteTalar/status/610597453109313536

I put this link on yesterday after 3.00 which is when the public servants start to go home and the traffic starts to fall away a bit . . . . just sayin like
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June 20, 2015 8:54am
Andrei

if the world put as much pressure on the troublesome Middle East countries as they did on Apartheid South Africa, you may see some changes

You don’t get it Inandout “the world” (aka the rulers of the USA and its allies) want chaos in the Middle East to stop the people there gaining control over their own resources.

Its the old Imperial thing divide and conquer

Do you really think it is a coincidence that the worlds trouble spots are either rich in energy resources or lie on strategic routes for its transport to developed Nations?
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June 20, 2015 8:55am
stephieboy

Inandout,refugees often returned to their communist governments that dominated Europe ? Shall we confine ourselves to Eastern Europe for starters and often returned ? Voluntatarily ? News to me .Can you give examples ?

Reid , what is the appeal of Russian Propoganda to you personally in respect of Libya , Syria and Yemen apart from Lets Blame the West and Israel ?
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June 20, 2015 8:55am
hj

“What’s Wrong with our Weather”, Reader’s Digest, Nov. 1988. 9. featured the Great Greymouth One Hundred Year Flood on it’s cover. There have been a couple more since then (except the sea wall has been built)?
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June 20, 2015 8:56am
Paulus Gnome

Inandout ‘World Refugee Day today, and there are supposedly 50 million of them. How about the UN has a ‘stop feral governments day’, the ones that are continuously at war, and causing their citizens to flee?’

How about the UN stick to their knitting and their core principle for which they were established in 1945 and forget the current theme of worldwide socialism by interfering in aspects of our lives that have nothing to do with their original aims
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June 20, 2015 8:59am
publicwatchdog

“The speculation appears to have been fuelled by Chinese whispers after a Global Women’s retreat in Queenstown this month. Former National president Michelle Boag spoke at the retreat about the need for a female contender as mayor. Straight after Ms Boag, Ms Collins stood up to talk about another issue and the timing prompted laughter. Ms Boag said Ms Collins had not indicated she was interested in the role.”

Now – THAT would be fun!

2016 Auckland Mayoral debates – where I could ask Judith Collins why she voted in favour of this forced Auckland amalgamation – which has been ‘$uper’ for BIG businesses which have been awarded contracts by Auckland Council and Council (Corporate) Controlled Organisations / property developers / investors / land bankers / speculators and financial institutions?

I’d really look forward to comparing proven track records on fighting ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ – given the, in my considered opinion, arguably spectacular lack of progress on these fronts while Ms Collins was in a key position to actually do something about these matters as the (former) Minister of Justice?

Of course, in my considered opinion, had (former) Minister of Justice Judith Collins, arguably spent more time on focusing on the promotion and passage of anti-corruption legislation – such as the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill – instead of arguably helping to promote the interests of her friends and husband’s private company Oravida, then New Zealand may have been able to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption?

Seems rather strange – don’t you think?

That New Zealand can be ‘perceived’ to be the SECOND ‘least corrupt country in the world’ (according to the 2014 Transparency International ‘Corruption Perception Index’ ) – while not having yet ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption?

Where does (former) Minister of Justice Judith Collins stand on ‘facilitation payments’?

Does Judith Collins agree that ‘facilitation payments’ are BRIBES?

Yes or no?

What did Judith Collins do to help stop the Wellington and Northland proposed ‘Supercities’?

Penny Bright

http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
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June 20, 2015 8:59am
Viking2

Getting caught with your panties round you knee’s.
Figuratively speaking.

TVNZ star sprung by boss in secret TV3 interview

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11468263

Oh dear what fun in the World of media and TV. 😆 😆
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June 20, 2015 9:06am
Inandout

Paulus Gnome: It would be great to just ignore the world trouble spots, so long as they don’t export their problems onto the rest of us. The ideal way would be to turn every boat back that is found at sea, but that takes a concerted effort.
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June 20, 2015 9:06am
holysheet

Watch out PWB, Judith will stand for mayor and wipe your arse in any election you both might contest.
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June 20, 2015 9:07am
stephieboy

Andrei , as a master of interest the U.S. Imports only 17% of its oil and other energy requirements from the Middle East .It now sources these from the Western Hemisphere including its own local production .In addition Nigeria is another source.

The West does not want chaos in the Middle East .No more or no less than China and India and there is no evidence that they would willingly want to disrupt or destroy their energy sources from the M E. !
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June 20, 2015 9:08am
hj

Like many New Zealand towns, Greymouth was built on the edge of a river. When high tide and a flood coincided in 1906, the central business district was inundated. This photograph shows the Imperial Hotel; in the distance ships are tied up at the wharf, on the lower reaches of the Grey River.
…..
In 1968 the central part of Greymouth still flooded as it had when the first European settlers arrived 100 years earlier. It was only after the Earthquake Commission refused to continue paying insurance for flood damage that a flood protection wall was built.
http://www.greystar.co.nz/content/1988-greymouth-flood
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June 20, 2015 9:08am
Odakyu-sen

Nukuleka @ 8:19
“Legislation permitting euthanasia would increase the vulnerability of the young, the ill, the poor and the handicapped.”

Aha! (Channeling Maxwell Smart) The old “_______ would increase the vulnerability of the __________” trick!

Who would the “poor” be vulnerable to? Why would they be vulnerable? Who would gain from their termination?
Who would the “ill” be vulnerable to? Why would they be vulnerable? Who would gain from their termination?
Who would the “young” be vulnerable to? Why would they be vulnerable? Who would gain from their termination?

Also, are you talking about three separate groups? (the ill, the poor and the handicapped) Or can individuals be concurrent members of more than one group?

It’s always important to analyze statements to see if they have any reasoning behind them or whether they are made simply to stoke the emotions.
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June 20, 2015 9:11am
Inandout

Viking2 9.06: Won’t happen unless Heather changes her name. ‘du Plessis-Allan Live’..nah. ‘Heather Live’…nah.
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June 20, 2015 9:11am
Manolo

The shaky Greek economy: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-33195732

Fears are growing over the health of Greek banks after indications that savers have withdrawn billions of euros in the past week. Capital flight from beleaguered Greek banks this week alone could be more than €4bn (£2.9bn), reports say.
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June 20, 2015 9:17am
Andrei

In addition Nigeria is another source.

Ever heard of Boko Haram now rebranded as ISIS.

Do you remember the Biafran War?

Why do you think Hugo Chavez was a pariah? – he was popularly elected you know ? There was an attempted coup against him in 2004 as I recall – the USA immediately recognized the “ïnterim” Government but got egg on their faces when the people of Venezuela rose up in rage at having their Government toppled by the USA and the army joined them and dealt with the American Quizlings – all within a day or so of the original coup
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June 20, 2015 9:19am
artemisia

Wellington residents and visitors – if you haven’t been on the cable car lately, try to take a trip between 7pm and 9:30 pm before the end of July. Fabulous light show in two tunnels, well worth a looksee.

And free to gold card holders.
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June 20, 2015 9:19am
Manolo

@stephieboy: What refugees do you fancy? Which ones would you receive with open arms?
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June 20, 2015 9:21am
Fletch

Re: the recent church shooting and the response by liberals like Jon Stewart, I will just leave this here –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwqpJVQarUI
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June 20, 2015 9:26am
mandk

A bit of fun for Saturday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxoUUbMii7Q
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June 20, 2015 9:29am
Manolo

The crooks fight back: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/06/19/ex-charity-exec-who-helped-expose-500g-clinton-award-stands-firm-in-face-legal/

A former charity executive who helped expose a questionable $500,000 donation to the Clinton Foundation is now being threatened by her old bosses with a lawsuit seeking tens of thousands of dollars.
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June 20, 2015 9:30am
stephieboy

Manolo, me old sunshine refugees ? Anyone who fulfils the criteria as negotiated between the UN and our government which currently is 750 per year from areas of the world in greatest need .

A quota that could be temporally lifted to help alleviate the humanitarian crises in Syria and Iraq.

Btw what is humanitarian to you ?
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June 20, 2015 9:36am
Odakyu-sen

Manolo,

Refugees? Do you mean real refugees or fee-paying refugee-wannabes?

Are all refugees equal? Or are there “good” refugees (like “good” cholesterol) and “bad” refugees?

Generalization time!
What are the characteristics of good refugees?
– Can speak English or are willing to learn
– Have useful skills or are willing to learn
– Hard working
– Willing to compromise and adapt to the ways of their host country
– A sense of loyalty to their host nation
– Anything else?

What are the characteristics of bad refugees?
– Will not learn (language, skills, customs)
– Sense of entitlement
– Will not compromise or adapt
– Make demands that the hosts adapt to their requirements
– Lack of sense of loyalty to their host nation
– Generally act as “colonizers” rather than “immigrants” in the traditional meaning of these words
– Anything else?

Note that the above have nothing to do with race, but have a lot to do with culture and mindsets.
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June 20, 2015 9:38am
stephieboy

Odaku sen , and your evidence that our Current and more recent quota of refugees belong to your later category ?

Andrei , the Soviet ‘s involvement in the Biafra conflict was not by any means pristine land illy white as you seem to suggest ,

http://www.elombah.com/index.php/articles/daniel-elombah/13072-us-memo-role-of-the-soviet-union-in-the-nigeria-biafra-war
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June 20, 2015 9:47am
Manolo

C’mon stephieboy, do not be shy and just state your preference for those who pray five times a day. 🙂
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June 20, 2015 9:49am
Nukuleka

Odakyu-sen: words, words and further words all designed to hide the fact that euthanasia is murder.

Now let’s see how you manage to use further words, words and words to deny that fact.
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June 20, 2015 9:51am
Odakyu-sen

Nukuleka,

I am not denying anything. I want to understand the situation better.

Why would the “young” be vulnerable to euthanasia? Who would want to euthanize them? What would they seek to gain?
(And to clarify, what do you mean by “young”? I assume individuals between the ages of 3 and 18 years.)

To understand the game, you have to identify who the players and and figure out what their motivations.
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June 20, 2015 10:01am
Odakyu-sen

stephiboy
“Odaku sen , and your evidence that our Current and more recent quota of refugees belong to your later category ?”

Whoa! We haven’t got that far yet. We’re just in the thinking stage.

Remember: Thought should come before judgement and action.
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June 20, 2015 10:04am
stephieboy

Manolo, in the scheme of things what is your opinion worth ? Mine too for that matter also .But I really don’t care what a serial liar like you actually thinks.

But for the record I hope Our refugee resettlement committee would select a nice balance of Christians and Muslims including Yazidis .But given the threat the Christian community faces in the ME I would tend to balance in favour of Christians.
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June 20, 2015 10:05am
Colville

V2 @ 8.46

I totally disagree.

The POS doing PD that got killed didnt have a choice, he had to be there and had to work, if he was getting paid has fuck all to do with it.
So some other POS with a chainsaw cuts a piece off a log and it rolls down the hill and squashes him.
Logging is dangerous enough even after all the training and years of experience, no way Corrections should have had untrained numpties on a hill playing with chainsaws.

Locally I know of a very old rural church that had its roof painted by PD guys. Half a dozen guys wandering around on a roof five or so meters off the ground without any safety gear or edge protection. Just asking for a broken neck. Stupid.
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June 20, 2015 10:13am
Simon

Those battle re-enactments look stupid with all those fat people.
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June 20, 2015 10:15am
Manolo

Have you become a disciple of P.G., stephieboy? You sound like him, even use the same phrases and epithets.
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June 20, 2015 10:17am
Maggy Wassilieff

I think 50 million refugees/displaced folk is a disaster beyond hope.

I can’t see anyone/anywhere prepared to find a solution.

I know we are meant to be worrying about the coming climate apocalypse, but we are already in the midst of a human apocalypse.
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June 20, 2015 10:20am
Fletch

It is not surprising that the U.S is being hacked etc, when The U.S Govt has outsourced I.T Office of Personnel Management to workers in China who have root access. All the encryption in the world doesn’t matter then.

Some of the contractors that have helped OPM [Office of Personnel Management] with managing internal data have had security issues of their own—including potentially giving foreign governments direct access to data long before the recent reported breaches. A consultant who did some work with a company contracted by OPM to manage personnel records for a number of agencies told Ars that he found the Unix systems administrator for the project “was in Argentina and his co-worker was physically located in the [People’s Republic of China]. Both had direct access to every row of data in every database: they were root. Another team that worked with these databases had at its head two team members with PRC passports. I know that because I challenged them personally and revoked their privileges. From my perspective, OPM compromised this information more than three years ago and my take on the current breach is ‘so what’s new?’”

http://soopermexican.com/2015/06/17/unbelievable-govt-outsourced-database-management-to-it-workers-with-total-access-in-china/

http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/06/encryption-would-not-have-helped-at-opm-says-dhs-official/
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June 20, 2015 10:23am
publicwatchdog

So – how come it was Amy Adams – NOT (former) Minister of Justice Judith Collins who introduced the Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Legislation Bill?

Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill

This is an omnibus bill aimed at strengthening the law to combat organised crime and corruption. The bill proposes amendments to 12 different Acts to improve New Zealand’s ability to collaborate with international efforts to disrupt organised crime and ensure law enforcement agencies can quickly and effectively respond to new challenges.

Member in charge: Hon Amy Adams
Type of bill: Government
Parliament: 50-51
Bill no: 219-2
Introduction: 25/6/14
First reading: 4/11/14
Referred to: Law and Order Committee
Submissions due: 5/2/15
SC report(s): 04/05/15
Second reading: 20/5/15
27/5/15
Supplementary Order Paper(s): 76

—————————————————————-

Penny Bright

http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
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June 20, 2015 10:27am
Dave Mann

The Pope is banging on about climate change now… doesn’t he realise that he can’t be the leader of one religion while pushing another religion at the same time? He’s one confused little puppy…..
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June 20, 2015 10:37am
mikenmild

Even the Pope is capable of rational thinking.
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June 20, 2015 10:38am
Griff

Dave ain’t
Doesn’t know the difference between science and religion.
The pope has taken a moral stand as he see the harm will disproportionally fall on the poor.
As he does have a science eduction before going into the church he can actually see the realty not just the rhetoric.
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June 20, 2015 10:50am
minus

Penny Bright – I’d really look forward to comparing proven track records on fighting ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’

Name one ‘white collar’ crime or case of corruption you have exposed in your “proven track record” since 2010 the inception of Auckland ‘SuperCity’ Council
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June 20, 2015 10:52am
Jacob

Colin Craig
It has now emerged he is at the centre of allegations of sexual harassment- manifested in love poems and texts reported on right-wing blog WhaleOil.

Are the Craig documents, which WhaleOil has, stolen by anyone?
Just wondering …
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June 20, 2015 10:54am
SGA

Dave Mann at 10:37 am

The Pope is banging on about climate change now… doesn’t he realise that he can’t be the leader of one religion while pushing another religion at the same time? He’s one confused little puppy…..

Oh, to be fair, the Catholic Church has been positioning itself as orthogonal to science for quite a while now, including issues such as evolution and the Horrendous Space Kablooie. I’m sure his scientific advisers (he has them, I’m sure) don’t see him as embracing another religion.
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June 20, 2015 10:54am
mikenmild

Whew, North Korea saves the world:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/69562538/north-korea-claims-it-can-cure-mers-and-a-whole-bunch-of-other-things
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June 20, 2015 10:56am
Old.Mickey.Blue.Eyes

With the resignations of yesterday, woudlnt it be funny if John Kirwan ended up as conservative party leader, and Colin Craig was appointed Blues coach….
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June 20, 2015 11:06am
Andrei

Andrei , the Soviet ‘s involvement in the Biafra conflict was not by any means pristine land illy white as you seem to suggest

I didn’t say anything about the Soviet involvement in Biafra Stephieboy

They supported the Government of Nigeria as it happens along with the British who demanded of the Nigerians that they didn’t damage British oil facilities in their conduct of the war.

I mentioned Biafra just as an illustration of how violent political turmoil concentrates itself around regions rich in energy resources and along the trade routes they follow.
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June 20, 2015 11:08am
Manolo

As it was said yesterday: the Pope speaking on AGW is like Kim Kardashian talking on the Eurozone. Supine ignorance from both.
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June 20, 2015 11:16am
publicwatchdog

Seen this Kiwibloggers?

“The Government repeatedly refused to release Cabinet papers, which Key claimed would seal the case against Labour, citing a Cabinet convention that papers belonging to a previous administration are confidential.

Even after Labour gave its blessing for the papers to be released, officials sat on the documents before having their hands forced by Labour’s David Parker doing the job for them.

Visits and phone calls from staffers in the prime minister’s office insisted that the papers were as damning as he had claimed. Redacted sections in the papers were supposed to be the smoking gun.

The redactions were supposed to have been made by officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

But when unredacted versions were seen by Fairfax they failed to back up the Government’s assertion that taxpayers were under threat of a $30m legal bill.

And apart from a couple of lines relating to international relations there doesn’t appear to be any compelling reason to have redacted those sections of the Cabinet documents. ….”

Why the redactions?

‘Nothing to hide – nothing to fear’ Prime Minister?

A bit hard for PRIME Minister John Key to enforce Ministers’ upholding the ‘highest ethical standards’, as required in the Cabinet Manual, if, in my considered opinion, he doesn’t practice them himself?

Penny Bright

http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
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June 20, 2015 11:19am
Pongo

UMR are surveying and in the firing line is Sky City and the convention centre again, NZ would be one of the only developed countries that has their entire media bemoaning a $400 million convention centre to attract overseas visitors and provide many many jobs at ZERO cost to the taxpayer, this in a country where the state owns all sports betting and the lottery.
Maybe the question should be “because a couple of hundred people have gambling issues but still have numerous places elsewhere to gamble should NZ turn down a $400 million international convention centre and around a 1000 jobs”
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June 20, 2015 11:21am
SGA

Manolo at 11:16 am

As it was said yesterday: the Pope speaking on AGW is like Kim Kardashian talking on the Eurozone. Supine ignorance from both.

Nah – the Pope has a better grasp science than Kim has of economics, and probably a whole team of scientific advisers to talk to. The Vatican even has it’s own astronomy department that operates a telescope at the Mount Graham International Observatory in the United States (sorry, slightly unrelated, I just think it’s cool).
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June 20, 2015 11:50am
Dennis Horne

The Vatican even has it’s own astronomy department that operates a telescope at the Mount Graham International Observatory in the United States

Christ’s Church still looking for God, then.

PS. Not YOU too? It’s? Hello, gross-err. I’m even catching myself doing it now.
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June 20, 2015 11:57am
wiseowl

Paulus.
Thanks for that .Nails it.
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June 20, 2015 12:03pm
SGA

@Dennis Horne
It happens sometimes when I’m in a hurry. Supposed to be out of here by 12 🙁
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June 20, 2015 12:07pm
stephieboy

Trying to talk facts to a Republican Bill Manhir. This time its military expenditure,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUcsYu9ucEc

One thing I will say though the spirit of debate and free expression is alive and well in the U S .Not so alas in Putin’s Russia and apparently that fellow who runs Belarus !
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June 20, 2015 2:02pm
kowtow

“But Ms Bennett is sticking to her crusade. She reckons the fewer rules the better.”

So why do you need to erect scaffolding to allow a chimney cleaner near your flue?
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June 20, 2015 2:15pm
kowtow

To be fair to the Vatican (yeah i know) it had the first dedicated scientific institute in the world. Set up in 1603. Gallileo worked there ( yeah I know)

“The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has its roots in the Academy of the Lynxes (Accademia dei Lincei) which was founded in Rome in 1603 as the first exclusively scientific academy in the world. The Accademia dei Lincei achieved international recognition, and appointed Galileo Galilei as a member on 25 August 1610, but did not survive the death of its founder, Federico Cesi. In 1847 Pope Pius IX reestablished the Academy as the Pontifical Academy of the New Lynxes. Pope Pius XI renewed and reconstituted the Academy in 1936, and gave it its present name.”

http://www.casinapioiv.va/content/accademia/en/about/history.html
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June 20, 2015 2:20pm
kowtow

“I know we are meant to be worrying about the coming climate apocalypse, but we are already in the midst of a human apocalypse.”

That’s a Mohammedan apocalypse.
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June 20, 2015 2:32pm
kowtow

paulus gnome

Thanks for posting that clip from Sweden, brilliant.
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June 20, 2015 2:46pm
Manolo

Changing course: http://news.yahoo.com/record-gains-anti-immigrant-party-danish-vote-085700713.html

The anti-immigration Danish People’s Party (DPP) became Denmark’s second largest party in Thursday’s general election and the biggest in the right-wing bloc, which ousted a centre-left government.

Boosted by rising concerns over the cost of immigration to Denmark’s generous welfare state and a perceived erosion of “Danish values”, it secured 21.1 percent of the vote, its highest score ever and up from 12.3 percent in the previous election.

Meanwhile, in Greece: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/greek-island-swamped-refugee-flood-relief-sight-31882771

Europe is presiding over its own funeral.
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June 20, 2015 3:08pm
Jack5

Interesting technology twist on Radio NZ’s Music 101 this afternoon.

The announcer said that if people caught up by the North Island floods need information or wanted to know what to do they could go to the Radio NZ web site.

How good is the internet in an event like a flood? Many, most, or all of those in need of advice or help will have their mains electricity cut, which usually blocks internet access for the majority of us who use ADSL or fibre. Those whose smart phones, or tablets, with cellphone internet access might be okay, but many people in the countryside will often be out of range of cell towers in normal times, and cell sites cut by floods could hamper accessof others.

Radio broadcasting is ideal for relaying information in such events, because of the proliferation of battery-powered small radios.

To me, a radio channel telling people to go the radio network internet site for information during floods seems a flawed approach.
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June 20, 2015 3:12pm
wiseowl

Kowtow.
You must have missed the guy on red radio this morning. Made billions out of scaffolding business in Europe.
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June 20, 2015 3:19pm
publicwatchdog

errrrr…..Minus – I have a proven track record in ‘fighting’ corruption.

However – actually getting those with legislative powers and statutory duties to actually DO anything when alleged corruption is taken to them in the form of an official complaint, seems virtually impossible, in my opinion and experience, particularly when those about whom you are complaining – are politically connected – at the highest levels?

In terms of ‘whistle-blowing’ – you may recall what I said in my 2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate statement – which went out in the ‘Instructions & Candidate Information’ booklet that went out to electors in the Auckland region?

” Penny BRIGHT Independent

My principal place of residence is in the Auckland Council area.

I, Penny Bright, am a proven and experienced ‘anti-corruption’ and ‘anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’.

I will expose and stop corrupt corporate control.

My track record stands for an open, transparent and democratically accountable Auckland.

I will open the books.

Who really runs Auckland?

Try googling http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz / membership

How?

Through Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs), where unelected businesspeople run the Auckland region like a business, by business, for business.

Cut out the consultants and private contractors.

Public monies must benefit the public majority.

Rates, housing, transport and water services must be ‘cost-effective’ and affordable.

We need a nationally co-ordinated population, migration and employment strategy.

‘Market-led’ Auckland growth, pushing re-zoning and housing intensification, is decimating communities against their wishes.

Who benefits?

Property developers, speculators and overseas investors.

Following the ‘precautionary principle’ and ‘wellness’ model, will achieve a genuinely ‘clean, green’ New Zealand.

We, the people, must take back our Auckland region from corporate control!

http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz “
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June 20, 2015 3:30pm
stephieboy

wiseowl , your ideal red neck radio ?

Leighton Smith Or Alex Jones ?
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June 20, 2015 3:32pm
publicwatchdog

Seen this Kiwibloggers?

19 June 2015 – Professor Jane Kelsey

Fast Track saga moves back to Senate

The latest Obama-Republican Party manoeuvre to secure Fast Track negotiating authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) succeeded with a narrow ten-vote majority in the House of Representatives, but the saga is far from over, according to Auckland University law professor Jane Kelsey.

‘The Bill now returns to the Senate where its fate is far from certain’, Kelsey said.
To get Fast Track Bill passed in the House today, the companion measure that provides support for workers who lose their jobs through deals like the TPPA was dropped.

Yet the inclusion of the Trade Adjustment Assistance package, as well as promises to vote to reauthorise the Export-Import Bank, were prerequisites for several of the 14 Democrat Senators who voted for the original Fast Track bill in the Senate.

Key Senate Democrats are now demanding that both those measures are passed in both Houses before they vote on Fast Track, because they don’t trust the Republicans. Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives are deeply opposed to both measures.

Obama himself has said he won’t approve Fast Track without the Trade Assistance package.

The Senate process requires a 60-vote super-majority for the version of the Fast Track Bill approved by the House before it can bypass a filibuster and move to a formal vote. If just three of the original 14 Democrats withdraw their support from the Fast Track law, the deal will not get to a vote in the Senate.

That next phase of the saga is expected within the next week.

ends
Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz
Original url
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June 20, 2015 4:02pm
rightoverlabour

Looking at the pictures of the flooding and the damage to the roads emphasizes why we need to drag ourselves into the modern era and build some decent freeways between major centres.
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June 20, 2015 4:09pm
publicwatchdog

Seen this Kiwibloggers?

————————————————————-

Nationals continued pursuit of the TPPA proves yet again they never intended to act in the best interests of New Zealanders, says New Zealand First.

19 JUNE 2015

No Gains for New Zealand under TPPA

National’s continued pursuit of the TPPA proves yet again they never intended to act in the best interests of New Zealanders, says New Zealand First.

“They have been so secretive that New Zealanders are getting more information about the TPPA by watching the drama unfold in American politics,” says Spokesperson for Trade Fletcher Tabuteau.

“The National government remains supportive of the TPPA despite the fact the US Congress today dropped measures intended to support workers who lost their jobs through deals like the TPPA.

“This National government has no backbone. They are content to wait and accept whatever terms the deal is going to offer.

“New Zealand First is in favour of trade, but National has yet to show which markets will be opening up to our producers.

“United States farmers get billions in handouts and Japanese farmers are the second most subsidised farmers in the world with $US45 billion every year in direct support. Even Canada supports its farmers to the tune of $US7.5 billion every year. Farmers getting these subsidies will not roll over and welcome our primary exports. New Zealand will gain little if anything.

“Certainly the South Korean free trade agreement is another example of just how little these deals achieve for our farmers.

“These countries have outfoxed Trade Minister Tim Groser and John Key.

“Foreign corporates are getting the better deal here – not New Zealanders.

Unfortunately this is the kind of leadership we have come to expect from our government,” says Mr Tabuteau.

ENDS
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June 20, 2015 4:11pm
srylands

http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/video-hysterical-scenes-during-arrest-of-occupy-protestor-penny-bright-2012012612
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June 20, 2015 4:20pm
srylands

“Looking at the pictures of the flooding and the damage to the roads emphasizes why we need to drag ourselves into the modern era and build some decent freeways between major centres.”
______________
Yes. I would like to see the Government commit to building a motorway between Wellington and Auckland by 2030. Just for starters.
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June 20, 2015 4:21pm
publicwatchdog

More TPPA commentary you may not have seen Kiwibloggers?

———————————————————————–

Press Release – AFTINET 19 June 2015

TPP Fast Track Bill back to US Senate: uncertain outcome means TPP negotiations still on hold

“After various procedural manoeuvres, part of the Fast Track bill package was narrowly passed overnight in the US House of Representatives, and has now gone back to the Senate.

But the part of the package which supports workers who lose their jobs through trade agreements has been dropped from the Bill, which makes it less likely to succeed in the Senate,” Dr Patricia Ranald Coordinator of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) said today.

“Fast Track legislation is required for the U.S. Congress to give up its constitutional right to fully debate and amend trade agreements, and allows only a yes or no vote.

Massive community opposition has prevented the full FastTrack Bill from securing a majority vote in both houses.

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton urged President Obama to listen to the Democrat critics of Fast Track this week. This latest move back to the Senate with a changed bill shows the desperation of Fast Track supporters,” said Dr Ranald.

“The Senate process requires a 60 vote majority out of 100 for a procedural vote to enable the new Fast Track bill to be debated by the Senate next week.

This is less likely without the accompanying workers’ support legislation,” said Dr Ranald.

“Since other TPP governments have refused to finalise the negotiations without Fast Track, this means TPP negotiations between Australia the U.S, Japan and nine other countries are still on hold, and the TPP Trade Ministers’ Meeting tentatively set for late June has been postponed yet again,” said Dr Ranald.

“Recent leaked TPP documents have magnified the growing opposition to the TPP in Australia and other TPP countries because they reveal the corporate agenda for greater monopoly rights for pharmaceutical, media and other international corporations.

The TPP threatens affordable medicine prices, internet regulation and environmental regulation and gives foreign investors the right to sue governments over changes in domestic legislation, like tobacco plain packaging legislation and even decisions of our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

There is now a cross-party group of Australian MPs critical of the TPP,” said Dr Ranald.

“If the negotiations do proceed, Australian government should oppose all the harmful proposals in the TPP and agree to release the text of the TPP before it is signed by Cabinet so that Australians can judge for themselves whether it is in the public interest,” said Dr Ranald.

ends
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June 20, 2015 4:23pm
srylands

and Penny pasting text from mindless communist academics (Kelsey) or populist New Zealand First nutters is not adding anything. It just makes you look foolish. Are you being paid to do this?

EDIT – p.s. whenever I read “corporate agenda” in a press release I immediately stop reading.
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June 20, 2015 4:24pm
srylands

http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/video-hysterical-scenes-during-arrest-of-occupy-protestor-penny-bright-2012012612#axzz3dZbjROKf

I must say I never get tired of watching that video.

“What have I been charged with?”

“With being a daft bint” said Mr Plod.
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June 20, 2015 4:32pm
mikenmild

This might get Andrei and the other Putin fan boys excited:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-demands-probe-into-us-moon-landing/ar-AAbNWHp
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June 20, 2015 4:38pm
Maggy Wassilieff

@ wiseowl 3:19

A real night owl then?
The BBC interview on Nat Radio was with Mohed Altrad.

https://seeker401.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/entrepreneur-of-the-year-a-bedouin-turned-businessman/comment-page-1/
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June 20, 2015 4:57pm
Steve (North Shore)

This OSH bullshit is getting out of hand. Socialist Control Freaks.
I have just had a new roof done on my house. Edge fall protection – fair enough. But then I wanted new spouting. Materials $945, scaffolding $2250 + GST. So I removed it myself. I got out my painting trestles and planks and did the whole thing on my own. The highest point is 3.1M from the ground. Mr Council man wants to know who is doing it and when it will be finished. I told him I was, and it would be finished in my time, not his. If there was no house the water would fall on the ground as it does now.
I want to know how Mr Council man found out – there was no permit needed for replacing stone chip tiles with the same.
Grubby little shit driving around following contractors work vans I guess although I have heard that the Council use aircraft to take photos and overlay them on older photos.
On another note a work mate back from Australia said he had to put a railing around a lathe. It had a step higher than 300mm and also needed a ramp at one end of the step. Imagine falling off your lathe – pathetic
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June 20, 2015 5:13pm
minus

Penny Bright – errrrr…..Minus – I have a proven track record in ‘fighting’ corruption.

So called “fighting” but not actually NAILING ANYONE. FACT!
TRUTH IN FACTS.
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June 20, 2015 5:36pm
Manolo

The profoundly deluded Miss Dim has two awesome records in: 1) Battling aliens from faraway galaxies, 2) Bludging on other people by not paying rates. She is very proud of these “achievements”.
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June 20, 2015 5:50pm
kowtow

North shore steve

There’s a rumour going round that Dunners, where the City council ( broke) has gone from 3 to 30 Osh or health and Safety inspectors to enforce the new guidelines or whatever they are.

I don’t understand how all these costs can be thrust on homeowners by a Notional gummint.
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June 20, 2015 6:02pm
Manolo

@kowtow: That happens for choosing a TV “personality” as mayor. Dunedin would be infinitely better off with Dunne or P.G. at the helm. 🙂
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June 20, 2015 6:11pm
OneTrack

HatTip WhaleOil

Matt Ridley – “The great thing about science is that it’s self-correcting. The good drives out the bad, because experiments get replicated and hypotheses tested — or so I used to think. Now, thanks largely to climate science, I see bad ideas can persist for decades, and surrounded by myrmidons of furious defenders they become intolerant dogmas”

http://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2015/06/climate-wars-done-science/
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June 20, 2015 6:32pm
OneTrack

kowtow – “I don’t understand how all these costs can be thrust on homeowners by a Notional gummint.”

Because ratepayers and non-ratepayers keep voting in socialist councils who then act surprised when the inevitable happens.
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June 20, 2015 6:34pm
Manolo

The hard-working step up the pressure on the lazy: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-33209199

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned there must be a deal between Greece and its creditors ahead of Monday’s emergency EU summit.

Greece has less than two weeks remaining to strike a deal or face defaulting on a €1.6bn (£1.1bn) IMF loan repayment.
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June 20, 2015 6:37pm
Griff

OneTrack You are a gullible fool .

Matt Fiddly
“I see bad ideas can persist for decades.”
Yip Matt your coal mines will get closed.
http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/coal-interests.aspx

Fucken loon drove the first bank to collapse in England for over one hundred years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalisation_of_Northern_Rock

Matt Ridley was forced to resign as chairman in 2007, having been blamed in parliamentary committee hearings for not recognising the risks of the bank’s financial strategy and thereby “harming the reputation of the British banking industry.”

‘;

He cost the British taxpayer billions to bale out the mess .

Rational optimist my arse
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June 20, 2015 7:30pm
OneTrack

Are you one of Ridley’s myrmidons Griff?
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June 20, 2015 7:38pm
Griff

You are an idiot if you take any thing that coal fueled moron has to say as anything but protecting his own financial interests.

Mean while back in the real wold Get used to this happening
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/latest-state-emergency-in-whanganui-riverside-residents-urged-evacuate-6342340?autoStart=true

Widespread heavy rain is causing significant problems in the Lower North Island, with flooding, slips and contamination reported in many areas.

LATEST UPDATES:

5.52pm: A state of local emergency has been declared in Whanganui,
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June 20, 2015 7:43pm
Manolo

Isn’t heavy rain a direct consequence of AGW?
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June 20, 2015 8:31pm
Maggy Wassilieff

The old hometown
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/18999/flood-waters-whanganui-1904
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June 20, 2015 8:41pm
Brigitte

Maggy, interesting that they use the ‘Whanganui’ spelling rather than ‘Wanganui’. Especially since the option (not compulsion) to use the ‘wh’ spelling only happened in the last 5 years. I’m sure Michael Law (er Lawh?!) would not approve.
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June 20, 2015 8:55pm
Maggy Wassilieff

@Brigitte

Disclosure….. I was a writer/ researcher for Te Ara…..

Te Ara has opted for the Whanganui spelling. A plea for local pronunciation is on the first page of the written text
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/whanganui-region/page-1

The author of the Whanganui places entry – Diana Beaglehole prepared a report on the history of the spelling of the name for Wanganui City Council
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June 20, 2015 9:10pm
wf

Is that the place I heard called Honga-nui on the news today?
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June 20, 2015 9:14pm
Maggy Wassilieff

@wf

I think the real disaster was the TV1 reporter who couldn’t pronounce Waitotara correctly.
he was trying to relay a message that the residents had to self-evacuate.

He pronounced the place something like waitata-ra
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June 20, 2015 9:31pm
Griff

Maggie its flooded before…….
We have spent lots over the intervening years on flood defense to mitigate the effects.

It is not new that we get extreme weather events.
The change will be in the frequency and range of those events.
This has already been documented around the world.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/climatechange/increasing-trend-of-heavy-rain/8191876
http://www.mikehulme.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/2002-osbornhulme_heavyrain.pdf
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150205095237.htm
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June 20, 2015 11:41pm
Maggy Wassilieff

@griff

I know…..
why do you think I’ve installed myself half-way up a hill on the East coast?

(anyway if I don’t comment tomorrow, I’ve been washed downslope, but no rain here, yet)
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June 20, 2015 11:57pm
Kriss X

The old hometown

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/18999/flood-waters-whanganui-1904

Maggy, facts make you a denier.

Does BP pay you by the word or by the post ?
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June 21, 2015 5:15pm

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